As a self-employed bookkeeper, you must learn to embrace fresh starts like the real bookkeeping entrepreneur – not just for your clients, but for yourself too. The reason you may not want to make New Year’s resolutions is that they often feel like just another way to pile on the pressure. However, you have to admit there is a sense of renewal and new beginnings that January brings.
It’s the perfect time to tackle old problems with a new perspective and, often, a better plan.
When Things Get a Bit Messy
We often hear from clients at this time of year who feel overwhelmed by their bookkeeping records. Maybe one of these situations sounds familiar:
- “I thought I was managing fine, but my accountant said my books were all over the place.”
- “We hired an intern to help, but things slipped through the cracks.”
- “I lost my bookkeeper last year, and I tried to take over myself, but…”
- “I was doing it myself and keeping up, but then business picked up and I fell behind.”
If any of this resonated with you and you have clients who do the same, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Bookkeeping challenges are more common than you’d think.
Why a Fresh Start Can Help
Sometimes, a clean slate is exactly what’s needed. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to throw everything away to start over! Instead, you can take what’s working, leave behind what’s not, and move forward with a streamlined, refreshed system.
If you are a busy bookkeeper, here’s how you can do it for both your clients and your own bookkeeping business:
➡️Use Cloning to Save What Matters
If you’re using an online accounting software like SortMyBooks, you can create a new company file while preserving the essentials from your old one. This feature lets you keep your chart of accounts, supplier and customer lists, and other key details without carrying over the clutter.
- Log into your old file.
- Click “Change Company” and “New Company” to start your fresh file.
- Use the cloning function under “Settings” to select the entities you’d like to carry over, such as Nominals, Suppliers, Customers, Jobs, and Products or Services.
➡️Reset Opening Balances
When you start a new file, you’ll need to set up opening balances for your accounts, customers, and suppliers. Don’t worry – there are step-by-step guides to help you through this process plus a great support team just a ticket away.
➡️Keep Both Files Accessible
Good news: you won’t need an additional license to access both your old and new files. That way, you can refer back to your historical data whenever you need it.
Don’t Do It Alone
If the thought of tackling this feels overwhelming, that’s where we can help. Professional Bookkeepers Academy has an amazing network of certified bookkeepers and executive partners who helped countless clients clean up their records, set up fresh systems, and regain control of their finances and could help your busy bookkeeping practice, too. It’s what they love to do and it’s just so much easier (and quicker!) with the support of like-minded professionals.
So, if you’re a bookkeeper in employment thinking about a fresh start or you are looking for a bookkeeper for your own bookkeeping team, let’s chat. Together, we can make sure you are set up to support your business success in 2025 and beyond.
Aileen @ Professional Bookkeepers Academy
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